Molly Sims is pulling back the curtain on her journey to the top.
The supermodel recalls the hurdles she faced while trying to pave her way in the modeling industry. Starting young, navigating adulthood, aging in the industry, and going through motherhood, she has a story worth telling.
Molly Sims previously opened up about cracking under the pressure to fit into the picture-perfect model figure after photographers made comments about her body.
Sims is a known face on the coveted pages of several fashion magazines, but her professional success did not come easy. The fashionista spent her early days in a small town in Murray, Kentucky, before moving on to chase an academic dream of becoming a lawyer.
She was enrolled at Vanderbilt University studying pre-law when one of her friends introduced her to a professional photographer who took pictures for her modeling portfolio. In no time, Sims was signed by a top-tier agency, dropped out of college, and began her rise to stardom.
The model-turned-actress told US Weekly in an exclusive interview that she faced significant critiques for her physique during her early days in the industry. “Early in my modeling, I was told I was too fat, too thin, too blonde, too tall, too short,” she disclosed, adding that at 21 she was even told her nose was “crooked.”
Sims described the scrutiny she faced as “devastating,” noting the change in the quiet life she knew to the dips and turns of becoming a fashion icon, especially “during a difficult era called ‘heroin chic.’”
Hard Work, Determination, And A Strong Support System Were Key
The Sports Illustrated model revealed that the unwavering support she received from her family helped her through her career. Breaking into tears, Sims recalled how her late mother was there for her at the lowest moments when she felt discouraged.
“I was told that I was never going to make it, that I was never going to be a model,” the supermodel recalled. She also noted that she put in the work to achieve her goals.
“I wasn’t the prettiest or the thinnest, but I was a worker. I could grind.” In no time, her work ethic paid off, and she kept getting booked all around the world. Now Sims has her husband, crew, her mother’s friends, and friends she’s gained through the acting community as her support system.
Molly Sims Learned To Love Her Body
Looking back, Sims acknowledged the pressure she faced to maintain a certain look and weight in her early modeling days. Not meeting industry standards brought her to tears countless times, and she tried “every diet” to meet those expectations.
The mother of three admitted being told she was too muscular all her life, which led to hating her shoulders and arms no matter what she did.
Evolving from her 20s to her 50s, Sims has a different perspective regarding her physical appearance. She shared that she is not trying to look any younger than she is; rather, she wants to ensure she looks her best at every age.
The supermodel noted that she would rather be “healthy” than thin, which is a “big mind shift.” Whether she fits into a size 4 or 12, it doesn’t matter as long as her health is in top shape.
The ‘Las Vegas’ Alum Previously Revealed Extreme Measures She Put Her Body Through
Over a decade ago, Sims sat down for an interview with HuffPost Live, where she detailed the extent to which she went to maintain the model look during her younger days. She shared that she struggled with the pressure to remain a size 0, particularly during preparations for her Sports Illustrated shoots.
Sims disclosed that she went days without eating because it was very difficult to stay within a certain weight bracket. In addition to going on hunger strike for days, she “would go to the ashram, [and] walk 14 miles a day.”
The actress also shared how she considered going under the knife in her 20s. She disclosed that at 23, she consulted a plastic surgeon and asked whether there was any way to make her calves smaller. The surgeon reportedly sent her home and did not carry out any body-altering procedures on Sims.
Molly Sims Still Makes Jaws Drop On The Runway
Sims turned heads at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway show in Miami last June. This marked the first time she walked the show for the brand in over a decade. The 53-year-old supermodel stepped out confidently, showing off her toned body in the swimsuit as she strutted, joining older models like Bethenny Frankel and Stassi Schroeder.
The Blast reported that the actress held her own during the show, appearing completely at ease as she showcased her gorgeous figure while walking in a revealing bikini look. Her long legs, stunning skin, and toned frame stood out beautifully as she posed for photos backstage.
Despite her jaw-dropping look, Sims did not escape the media’s criticism. “Pathetic way to earn a living, but I wish my body looked like hers,” a commenter wrote under her Instagram post. While some internet users noted that she looked amazing, others expressed that they weren’t fans of thong-style swimsuits.
